The game
Dogz has been around for several years, and is on its fifth edition so far
for the PC. Basically, it’s a simulation program that lets users interact with
dogs (or cats, for the companion program, Catz). Players teach and play
with their pets, and are rewarded with increased activity and response from
their pets. There is also a Babyz program, but it has yet to be
reissued.
My youngest
daughter loves the Catz/Dogz/Babyz programs, and has spent quite a bit
of time playing with them over the years. I was intrigued by the idea of
Dogz being released for the GBA, and wondered if it would be as much fun.
Of course, inevitably it will be compared to Nintendogs for the DS in
many reviews, but I believe that is unfair, given that it is designed for the
GBA, whatever the reason for the release so close to the release of
Nintendogs. MTO developed the game, and I’m a little unclear on whether
this is a port of an existing game they developed previously in Japan and just
changed the name to Dogz, or whether it’s a new game developed
expressly for the Dogz lineup from Ubisoft.
Anyway, we
popped it into our handheld and waited to see what would transpire. The good
news is that it looked really pretty, but the bad news is that the gameplay
itself is pretty ho-hum, and even the cute little puppies can’t rescue it.
The game
begins with a series of choices for the player on whether he or she wants to
play as female or male, and what his or her name will be. Then, players decide
what type of puppy they would like, either energetic or not, or big or small.
After deciding, it’s off to the pet-shop, where the player chooses which puppy
they would like to take home. Once home, the player names the puppy and begins
to take care of it.
The game’s
simulation cycle is set in a daily schedule, which lasts for three weeks. Kids
will have to train their dog to stay, sit, roll over, and other simple
commands. The puppy can be taught his name, as well. Kids will be able to feed
and groom their puppy. There are also a few things to do around the house,
like play a couple of mini-games, change the music, turn the TV on and off,
and tidy up by picking up items and vacuuming. While this may seem like a good
amount of activity, it’s not. After the first few game days, there’s just not
enough to do. Once the goal of training the dog in three weeks is reached,
there are more options and the daily timer is turned off, but again, it just
still doesn’t seem like there’s enough variety in the game.
It probably
seemed like a good idea to put the Dogz franchise on the GBA, but the
reality didn’t work out that well. Doing the same things every game day isn’t
all that fun, given that players spend much of their time just hitting the “A”
button to teach tricks, and then either praising or scolding the dog. The dog
can be fed, but the day is short since the owner has to go to school and to
bed every day, so there’s not much playing or feeding. Even when the game’s
timer is ended, the things to do aren’t all that varied.
While this
isn’t a bad game and is designed fairly well, the gameplay itself isn’t all
that much fun. Parents are better off getting the PC versions of Catz
and Dogz for the kids.
|
|
Gameplay: 6.0
The gameplay is
only fun for a few in-game days, then it begins to pall. There just isn’t
enough to do, and the sameness becomes wearing.
Graphics: 8.0
The graphics are
the best thing going for this game, everything is really cute and bright.
Sound: 7.0
The music is good
enough, and isn’t annoying as many GBA tunes can be. However, there aren’t
many to choose from.
Difficulty: Easy
This game is
easy.
Concept: 6.0
There isn’t much
new here.
Overall: 6.5
A pretty average
game that won’t hold the kids’ interest for long. There aren’t very many
things to do in the game, and it becomes boring after awhile. Kids will have
much more fun with the PC versions of Catz and Dogz.
